The morning wake up from my wife coming home from third shift working hell started with “it’s nice out there.” This was enough to get me crawling out of bed earlier than I really felt like. Coffee was already brewed, just a matter of pouring a cup and heading out the front door.
Nice it was, with bright blue skies and temperatures that had to be around 50 degrees already. It was only 7:30 am. It was a little windy and I already knew the wind was going to get worse, but with temperatures like this, heading out fishing could be tolerable.
A later walk around the neighborhood already showed signs of spring with small patches of flowers that had sprouted over night. Flowers that even attracted early honey bees. A later visual check of photos from the previous year showed those flowers to be 25 days ahead of schedule. Probably something they’ll come to regret.
Despite the winds I decided it would be a good day to go fishing. 25 to 35 mile per hour winds with gusts over 40 would be no big deal. I was going to be on the side of the river protected by a tall bluff and lots of trees. It would be no big deal. Or so I thought.
The winds were pretty brutal and whatever warmth was being given off by the sun was nullified by the constant wind. The river was just above normal and pretty easy to wade, staying out of the faster water was a necessity. Taking even a quick dunk in cold water on a windy day would cut things short rather quickly.
First thing caught in the first spot fished was a ball of line attached to a stick.
Since these are found all up and down the river, I’ve always been curious about the physics behind how this happens.
Further down stream, fish were dimpling the water and now and then one would jump. I don’t get out as much during the winter anymore, but it’s been awhile since I’ve seen this happening. Means the gizzard shad are around and sure enough, I caught one the way I usually catch one. Never in the mouth and always foul hooked.
This usually means there are a few predators around. A few casts later proved me correct.
With all of the shelf ice gone from the edges of the river, bait fish were everywhere in the shallows and any pools that didn’t have current flowing through them. I learned in years past, when I used to seine bait fish, what size and color needed to be used to match the forage.
There are all kinds of theories as to what to use in early spring, from size to color to type of lure, but I stuck with what works to get the next predator.
The next hour or so it was just a walk in the river. I considered switching to something else to throw in the water, but every where I stepped I was chasing river shiners. My little box of fishing creatures was glanced over, but ignored.
I wound up wading down stream casting aimlessly to spots not so much out of fishing style, but forced on me due to ever increasing winds. Planning a cast with the wind didn’t work out so well. As soon as the lure was released the wind would die for a couple of seconds. The resulting cast would then go where ever it felt like, usually up on shore.
I could feel the temperature dropping as clouds thickened and moved in from the north. Gloveless fingers, gloves that were intentionally left back in the car because they weren’t needed, were now very much in need of gloves. Walking was more difficult and had nothing to do with the river bottom or with me being out of shape, but had everything to do with the increasing blasts of wind that would catch me off guard.
The end of the fishing hike has a big old silver maple that arches out over the river. It’s root ball is stuck firmly to shore while it’s far tips practically touch the water over 40 feet away. It was already getting it’s red buds, it’s prelude to leaves, far too early in the season.
I stood for awhile watching a couple of squirrels moving around in the spindly branches of the tree. They were feasting on the emerging buds and I was hoping one of them would lose their grip and drop into the water. I never realized how often this happens till I started paying attention. Now I seem to see it all the time.
My entertainment was cut short by a blast of wind that nearly turned me around. I’d had enough. The walk back to the car had too many open areas to walk through. Once inside my car, I immediately felt the stinging, radiating heat coming off any skin that was exposed and I was suddenly tired. Not sure it was worth it for a couple of fish.
Of course the coming forecast shows a couple of days near 60 degrees, but the winds return, 20 to 30 mph winds with gusts up to 40. The fishing will probably suck, it is the first week of March after all, but I do know a little creek that runs between tall bluffs. Sits in the sun in one long stretch. If I remember to bring the gloves this time maybe it won’t be so bad.
The Four Season Angler
5 Mar 2012Nah, stay home. You can’t handle it. 😉
Ken G
5 Mar 2012Time to build up my stamina. This winter has been one of the worst for letting myself go. Too preoccupied with bullshit.
That wind doesn’t help.
Kev
6 Mar 2012That last small has some really cool coloring. Nice post.
Ken G
6 Mar 2012Thanks Kev. That one has some kind of odd scar running the whole length. Kind of a swirl pattern to it. Never saw that before. These two were really dark in general.
Stumbled on your site the other day through OBN, I think. I used to spend a lot of time in Virginia. Had one lake that was loaded with pickerel. Saw your post about them. Wish that fish was out here. Pike on steroids. They don’t get big, but man are they a tough fish.
Bob France
9 Mar 2012you really do use a leadhead jig and a twister tail…
Ken G
9 Mar 2012I keep telling myself that the day they quit working I’ll switch to something else.
So far I’m on year 14 of telling myself that, I think.
chuck koenig & trent
18 Mar 2012KEN I CAUGHT YOU ON MIKE JACKSON (RADIO SHOW MARCH 18TH). MY YOUNGEST SON TRENT AND I MET UP WITH YOU LAST SUMMER AT THE FOX RIVER. YOU TOLD US EXACTLY WHERE TO FISH THAT DAY–WE DID AND CAUGHT FISH. THANKS! I’M GOING TO CALL YOU ABOUT ABOUT A MAY 2012 DAY OF FISHING. ‘COURSE WITH THIS WEATHER IT JUST MAY BE SOONER. HOPEFULLY WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE ‘PARK’ AGAIN–VERY SOON. —CHUCK–
CHUCK KOENIG & TRENT
18 Mar 2012I HOPE YOU RECEIVED MY LAST E-MAIL. IF NOT GREAT STORY ON ‘THE EXTRA DAY’. WE MET YOU AT THE FOX R. LAST YEAR—YOU TOLD US WHERE TO FISH—-WE DID AND CAUGHT SOME. THANK YOU. HOPE TO RUN INTO YOU AGAIN THIS YEAR AND SOON. WE’RE GONNA FISH THIS WEEK—HOPE THE RIVER LEVEL IS GOOD. I STILL LIKE TO START AT THE BRIDGE & WORK OUR WAY DOWN TO THE PARK. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! —CHUCK & TRENT—